27 research outputs found
Switch from a ZDV/3TC-based regimen to a completely once daily (QD) regimen of emtricitabine/tenofovir DF fixed dose combination plus a third QD agent (SONETT)
Abstract Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of a treatment switch from a twice-daily (BID) regimen containing zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine (3TC) plus a third agent to a once daily (QD) regimen containing the fixed-dose combination of tenofovir DF/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC, Truvada®) plus a divergent third QD agent in HIV-1 infected patients. Methods Prospective, 48-week, non-randomised, single-group, open-label, study. Fifty-one patients on stable ZDV/3TC-containing HAART, with HIV-1 RNA 50 cells/μl, were switched to TDF/FTC plus a third agent. Plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 post-switch. Results During the 48-week study, 10 patients discontinued prematurely, including three due to adverse events (AEs). At week 48, plasma HIV-1 RNA was p Conclusions Results from this study support switching from a ZDV/3TC-containing HAART regimen to a completely QD regimen of TDF/FTC plus a third agent. Virologic and immunologic control are maintained, with apparent benefits in haemoglobin.</p
Acute hepatitis C in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): The "Real-life Setting" proves the concept
Abstract Objectives Outbreaks of sexually transmitted acute HCV infection have been described recently in several cities in the western world. The epidemic affects mainly MSM who are coinfected with HIV and is supposably linked to certain sexual risk practices. Here, we compared our findings with current knowledge and recommendations. Methods HIV-positive patients with the diagnosis of acute HCV infection were included in the retrospective analysis. The patients came from outpatient infectious disease centers in northern German cities. We looked at markers of HIV and HCV infection and compared patients who received treatment and those who did not. Treated patients were followed up to 72 weeks. Results Three hundred nineteen HIV-positive patients with the diagnosis of acute hepatitis C between 2001 and 2008 and were included in the analysis. All patients were male, 315 (99%) patients were of caucasian origin, 296 (93%) declared homosexual contacts as a risk factor for HCV infection, intravenous drug use was declared in 3 (1%) cases. Median age at HCV diagnosis was 40 years (range 20-69 years). Median HCV viral load was 1.2 × 106 IU/mL, 222 patients (70%) had HCV genotype 1, 59 (18%) genotype 4. The median time of HIV infection was 5.5 years (range 0 to 22.4 years). Median HIV viral load was 110 copies/mL (range 25 to 10 × 106 copies/mL). The median CD 4 count was 461 cells/mm3 (range 55- 1331 cells/mm3). Two hundred and fourty-six patients (77%) received anti-HCV treatment, and 175 (55%) had completed therapy by the time of the analysis. Median treatment duration was 33 weeks (IQR 24.1-49.9). 93 of the 175 treated patients (53%) reached a sustained virological response (SVR). In the multivariate analysis, ART at diagnosis, HCV RNA drop at week 12, hemoglobin levels and higher platelets were associated with SVR. Treatment duration was significantly higher in the SVR group (40.6 weeks vs 26.6 weeks, p Conclusions Our findings confirm that acute hepatitis C in HIV infected patients affects mainly MSM who acquire HCV sexually. Patients had a short duration of HIV infection and a stable immunological situation. In this real-life setting from urban regions in northern Germany, treatment rates appear to be high and effective.</p
Manganese-based superoxide dismutase mimics modify both acute and long-term outcome severity in a Drosophila melanogaster model of classic galactosemia
Aims: The goal of this study was to use two manganese (Mn)-based superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimics to test the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species contribute to both acute and long-term outcomes in a galactose-1P uridylyltransferase (GALT)-null Drosophila melanogaster model of classic galactosemia. Results: We tested the impact of each of two Mn porphyrin SOD mimics, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+, and MnTE-2-PyP5+, (i) on survival of GALT-null Drosophila larvae reared in the presence versus absence of dietary galactose and (ii) on the severity of a long-term movement defect in GALT-null adult flies. Both SOD mimics conferred a significant survival benefit to GALT-null larvae exposed to galactose but not to controls or to GALT-null larvae reared in the absence of galactose. One mimic, MnTE-2-PyP5+, also largely rescued a galactose-independent long-term movement defect otherwise seen in adult GALT-null flies. The survival benefit of both SOD mimics occurred despite continued accumulation of elevated galactose-1P in the treated animals, and studies of thiolated proteins demonstrated that in both the presence and absence of dietary galactose MnTE-2-PyP5+ largely prevented the elevated protein oxidative damage otherwise seen in GALT-null animals relative to controls. Innovation and Conclusions: Our results confirm oxidative stress as a mediator of acute galactose sensitivity in GALT-null Drosophila larvae and demonstrate for the first time that oxidative stress may also contribute to galactose-independent adult outcomes in GALT deficiency. Finally, our results demonstrate for the first time that both MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+ and MnTE-2-PyP5+ are bioavailable and effective when administered through an oral route in a D. melanogaster model of classic galactosemia. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 20, 2361-2371. © Copyright 2014, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2014
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Administration of All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) to Newly Diagnosed Patients (pts) with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) Is Delayed Even At Experienced Centers and Associated with An Increased Early Death Rate (EDR): A Retrospective Analysis of 205 Pts
Abstract
Abstract 942
Background:
Early death in APL, most often due to bleeding, has emerged as the major cause of treatment failure now that curative strategies exist. Despite the routine use of ATRA, EDR remains high (Lehmann et al Leukemia 2011, Park et al Blood 2011). Although the optimal strategy to prevent early death is not clear, the recommendation is to initiate ATRA immediately at first suspicion of the disease without waiting for genetic confirmation. Therefore, we examined the timing of ATRA administration.
Methods:
To determine time interval from initial presentation to ATRA administration, we retrospectively collected data on all newly diagnosed APL pts presenting between 1992–2009 to 4 institutions: Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (university medical center); Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (free standing cancer center); John J. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL (public hospital); and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel, (Northern Israel's largest hospital; a tertiary referral center). We also examined 3 other time intervals: presentation to suspicion of APL, suspicion of APL to ordering ATRA, and ordering ATRA to its administration.
Results:
We identified 205 newly diagnosed APL pts: 46% men, median 48 years (range 1.5–85). Median white blood cell (WBC) count at presentation was 2,100/uL (range 300/uL-222,500/uL); 25% had high risk (HR) disease (WBC >10,000/uL). Median time interval from initial presentation to suspicion of APL was 1 day and median time from suspicion of APL to ordering ATRA was an additional day (table 1). ATRA was ordered on the day APL was suspected in 32% pts, the next day in 31%; 2 days after suspicion in 17%; and after 3 or more days in 16%. 89% received ATRA on the day ordered. At least 1 bleeding episode was identified in 34% of 185 pts with bleeding data available. Bleeding was associated with higher WBC count (p=0.0003) and lower hemoglobin (p=0.027) at presentation. 46 of 186 pts with complete information on time from presentation to administration of ATRA died. 23 (12%) died within 30 days of presentation; comprising half of all fatalities. Causes of death were: hemorrhage −15, sepsis −4, suspected MI −2, pneumonia −1, and sepsis plus differentiation syndrome -1. Among deaths within 30 days, 48%, 22%, 26% and 7% were in 1st through 4th weeks, respectively. 4 (18%) of these 23 pts died before ATRA was administered, all day 1 or 2 after presentation and all from bleeding. Only 15/182 pts received ATRA on day of presentation. Two of these 15 (13%) died within 30 days (none from bleeding). In comparison, 7/40 (18%) who received ATRA on day after presentation died within 30 days (71% from bleeding). 10/127 (8%) who received ATRA on day 2 or after died within 30 days (6 from bleeding). 20% in each group who received ATRA on either day of presentation or day 1 after presentation had HR disease. For this subgroup, if ATRA was administered on the day APL was suspected or one of the following 2 days, EDR was 19% (7/37). However, if ATRA was initiated on day 3 or 4, EDR was 80% (4/5); (p=0.013). 59% received ATRA prior to confirmation and 41% received ATRA on the day APL was confirmed or later.
Conclusions:
(1) APL was suspected rapidly upon presentation, usually within 1 day and ATRA was almost always administered on the day ordered. (2) However, ATRA was not given to most pts the day APL was suspected and for some 2 or more days elapsed. This time interval contributed to the delay in ATRA administration, suggesting physicians waited for marrow morphology or genetic confirmation before ordering ATRA. (3) Although at these centers a lower EDR (12%) than reported from the SEER database (17.3%) was observed, the current recommendation to give ATRA at first suspicion of APL was often not practiced. (4) There appears to be an association between EDR and timing of ATRA administration; other factors contribute to the EDR including variability in blood product support. (5) Our study argues that educating health care professionals who are the first to encounter APL pts as to the urgency of ATRA administration will reduce early deaths that occur even in the ATRA era.
Disclosures:
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare